Praxair earnings up on North American, chemicals growth

1:58 PM MDT | April 23, 2014 | Lindsay Frost

Praxair had first-quarter net income of $448 million, up 8% year-on-year (YOY). Reported earnings of $1.51/share are in line with analyst consensus, according to Thomson Reuters (New York). Sales in the quarter were up 5% YOY, to $3.03 billion, driven by higher on-site volumes from new project start-ups in North America and Asia. Sales growth was strongest in the energy, chemicals, and food and beverage end markets, the company says. “Praxair delivered solid results in the first quarter, with sales growth of 9% and operating profit growth of 12%, excluding...